Escitalopram
Also sold as: Cipralex, Lexapro
Prescription neededAntidepressants
Comes as:Tablet
Usual adult dose
Usual adult dose: 10 mg once a day. The doctor may change it to between 5 mg and 20 mg a day; people over 65 usually take no more than 10 mg. It can take 2 to 4 weeks to work; do not stop it suddenly.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- nausea
- headache
- sweating
- tiredness
- trouble sleeping
- sexual problems
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- fast or irregular heartbeat or fainting
- fever with stiff muscles and confusion
- seizures
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Taking an MAO inhibitor antidepressant
- Heart rhythm problems (long QT)
- Epilepsy (use with caution)
- Young people under 25 (watch closely for suicidal thoughts)
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding (ask your doctor)
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious2 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Amiodarone
Both can prolong the QT interval and cause dangerous heart rhythms.
- Tramadol
Together they raise the risk of serotonin syndrome and seizures.
Moderate2 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Sumatriptan
The combination can rarely cause serotonin syndrome.
- Warfarin
Escitalopram can increase the bleeding risk with warfarin.